NOVA School of Science and Technology | FCT NOVA
Organisation/Company NOVA School of Science and Technology | FCT NOVA Department Departamento de Ciência dos Materiais Research Field Anthropology » Social anthropology Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Country Portugal Application Deadline 22 Jul 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
A call is now open for the award of a Research Fellowship for a Master's graduate within the scope of the Alcemist Project (ERC Synergy Grant 2024), Reference 101167171, funded by the European Commission.
1. Scientific Area: Materials Science and Social and Cultural Anthropology / Science, Technology, and Society (STS) Studies – Integrated Interdisciplinary Approach
Interdisciplinary Justification:
This fellowship, funded by the European ALCEMIST project (main area: Materials Science), is intended for a PhD candidate trained in Social Anthropology, STS (Science, Technology, and Society) Studies, Sociology, or related fields, who will investigate the sociocultural dimensions of innovation in materials. The candidate will join laboratory teams to gain in situ insight into the development of liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs), while conducting critical research on the social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of materials innovation, drawing on theoretical frameworks from the social sciences and humanities (e.g., Material Culture, STS, Technology Ethics). Interdisciplinary bridges will be explored, particularly regarding how new materials are conceived, produced, interpreted, and how they may significantly impact social practices, cultural expressions, sustainability, health, or construction.
2. Admission Requirements: In order to be considered eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements:
a) Applicants must hold a Master's degree in Social Anthropology, CTS Studies, Sociology, or related areas of Social Sciences and Humanities;
b) Candidates who have obtained the degree referred to in the previous point abroad must have their degree recognized in Portugal, under the terms of Decree-Law No. 66/2018, of August 16.
c) Be enrolled in a doctoral program or non-degree course integrated into the educational project of a higher education institution, related to the theme of the project).
Priority will be given to candidates who are enrolled in a doctoral program and who show interest and strong motivation for research in the field of material innovation, to understand how the liquid crystalline elastomeric materials developed within the ALCEMIST project can transform medical practices, reduce the environmental impact of electronics, or inspire new forms of cultural expression. The following complementary skills are preferred: i. experience in qualitative methodologies (ethnography, discourse analysis, interviews); ii. sensitivity to dialogue with technical languages and laboratory contexts; iii. interest in material culture, technological innovation, or applied technology studies.
Documents proving this situation must be submitted no later than the scholarship contract stage, but may be replaced beforehand by a sworn statement, available at the end of the call for applications.
3. Work Plan: Within the scope of the Alcemist project, candidates should be available to carry out the following research activities at the interface between materials development and their societal impact:
A. Technical Training in the Laboratory (CENIMAT/i3N), Luxembourg University and Cambridge University:
• Supervised participation in the synthesis of sustainable LCEs from biopolymers (cellulose, chitin);
• Study of flow patterning processes, characterization, and application of LCEs.
B. Sociocultural Research (NOVA-FCSH):
• Analysis of scientific practices as spaces of interdisciplinary creativity;
• Mapping of potential applications in key sectors: Medicine (e.g., micro-organs, smart surgical threads); Construction (e.g., adaptive coatings for energy efficiency); Consumer technologies (e.g., biodegradable components for electronic devices); Art/design (e.g., responsive sculptures, structural color textiles).
• Study of barriers to social adoption, public perceptions, and ethical implications.
4. Workplace:
The work will be carried out at the Materials Research Center (CENIMAT/i3N) of the Faculty of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, under the scientific supervision of Dr. Luís Pinto, and at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, NOVA University Lisbon, under the supervision of Professor Ana Isabel Afonso. Research stays will also take place at the University of Luxembourg under the supervision of Professor Jan Lagerwall and at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Professor Eugene Terentjev.
5. Duration of the fellowship(s): The fellowship will last for 12 months, starting in September 2025, with the possibility of renewal within the project's duration.
7. Selection Methods: The following criteria will guide the evaluation of candidates’ CVs:
A. Academic background (40%)
B. Research experience in the fields of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Material Culture, or STS (50%), with particular emphasis on the following competencies:
- Technical-scientific literacy: Understanding of the processes involved in the development of LCEs;
- Sociotechnical mediation: Ability to translate material complexities into social contexts;
- Co-creation of usage scenarios: Engagement with external actors (industry, artists, communities, volunteering in museums or related areas).
C. Knowledge of the Portuguese language (10%)
8. Selection Committee Composition:
President, Eugene Terentjev, Full Professor, University of Cambridge, UK
2nd Effective, Ana Isabel Afonso, NOVA FCSH – NOVA University Lisbon, Portugal
2nd Substitute Voting Member, Pedro Almeida, Associate Professor, Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Portugal
9. Notification of results: The results of the evaluation will be communicated up to 90 days after the deadline for submission of applications via e-mail, with candidates having access to the selection minutes. After notification, applicants will have 10 working days to comment on the decision, in a prior hearing of interested parties, under the terms of the Administrative Procedure Code. The final decision shall be taken after the prior hearing period, which will again be notified to all candidates by e-mail.
10. Application deadline and form of submission of applications: Application deadline and form of submission: The competition is open from July 9th, 2025 to July 22nd, 2025.
Applications must be sent exclusively by e-mail, with the reference “BI_Mestre_ALCEMIST_1” in the subject of the e-mail to cenimat.rh@fct.unl.pt and email to Dr. Luis Pinto ( lfp09613@fct.unl.pt ) within the deadline for their submission. The application must include the following documents:
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